One of the first things they do his hit and shake stuff.

My granddaughter (now just 2) has had the use of a toy (but in tune) xylophone, and various accumulated tambourine/drum-type stuff at my house from just over a year old. It's all in a basket and she picks out what she wants. I have an Uzbekh hand drum and a small djembe type drum in that lot, an African made two-tone cow bell and lots of shakey stuff. Empty presentation boxes (metal ended) from booze bottles also make good drums. Rhythm will develop in time. She has been going to "baby ballet" since about 6 months, and got drums, shakers and tambourines to use there. The main thing is to play or sing along with them if possible.
Her dad plays rock guitar, and he sat her on his knee with a plectrum and taught her to strum while he formed a chord. He also has a digital drum kit - she hits stuff quite hard now!

Andrea

Andrea